A hub, in the context of networking, is a hardware device that relays communication data. A hub sends data packets (frames) to all devices on a network, regardless of any MAC addresses contained in the data packet.
Common types of hubs used in networking are network hubs, passive hubs, intelligent and switching hubs.
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Network Hubs: These are common connection points for network devices, which connect segments of a LAN (local area network) and may contain multiple ports – an interface for connecting network devices such as printers, storage devices, workstations and servers. A data packet arriving at one hub’s port may be copied to other ports allowing all segments of the network to have access to the data packet.
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Passive Hubs: These only serve as paths or conduits for data passing from one device, or network segment, to another.
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Intelligent Hubs: Also known as manageable hubs, these hubs allow system administrators to monitor data passing through and to configure each port, meaning to determine which devices or network segments are plugged into the port. Some ports may even be left open with no connection.
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Switching Hubs: These hubs actually read the attributes of each unit of data. The data is then forwarded to the correct or intended port
What Hubs Do
Hubs and switches serve as a central connection for all of your network equipment and handles a data type known as frames. Frames carry your data. When a frame is received, it is amplified and then transmitted on to the port of the destination PC.
In a hub, a frame is passed along or "broadcast" to every one of its ports. It doesn't matter that the frame is only destined for one port. The hub has no way of distinguishing which port a frame should be sent to. Passing it along to every port ensures that it will reach its intended destination. This places a lot of traffic on the network and can lead to poor network response times.
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